Education manipulations as quickly as possible with mini- The first and most critical step in responsible mum disturbance to the bees. Extended hive is education. All should manipulations, particularly when removing have a solid understanding of bee biology honey, should be carefully planned to and basic beekeeping methods. We also accommodate neighbors’ activities. encourage all beekeepers to join OSBA. Hive Placement Beekeepers need to stay current on Correct hive placement is a critical consideration recommended changes in all aspects of for responsible beekeeping in urban and beekeeping. One way to do so is to become a suburban settings. Wherever possible, hive member of a beekeeping association that holds openings should face toward the southeast. It is regular (preferably monthly) meetings. For a list best to place the hive in a sunny area, not on the Best of local associations visit: top of a hill, nor at the bottom of a hollow. Hives www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org/associations must be placed in a quiet area of the lot, and not directly against a neighboring property unless a Disease Control solid fence or dense plant barrier of six feet or Management There are a number of honey bee diseases and higher forms the property boundary. Hives should pests. Some, like American Foulbrood (AFB), be kept away from roads, sidewalks and rights- are extremely contagious. AFB can only be of- way. Flight paths into the hive should remain Practices for destroyed by burning the bees, honey, wax, and within the owner’s lot. Barriers, including solid woodenware. Beekeepers should be extremely fencing, hedges and shrubs more than six feet cautious about mixing hive equipment and high may be used to redirect bees’ flight pattern. purchasing used equipment. Beekeeping Colony Temperament and Behavior While generally docile, honey bees do sting. A While swarming is natural honey bee behavior, it colony’s temperament is determined by its is one that should be prevented or minimized, queen’s characteristics. Its behavior is affected in Ohio especially in urban and suburban settings. Two by temperament, health and environmental primary causes of swarming are congestion and factors such as weather and proximate activities. poor ventilation in the brood chamber. Swarm Every effort should be made to maintain a docile management practices are explained in detail in and non-defensive colony. most beekeeping books, classes, and local club meetings. Conclusion The above information is meant to serve as a Considerate Hive Management guide only, with the exception of following all Prior to setting up, your hives it is a good idea to State and Local Laws, and will not be suited to inform your neighbors where you intend to place every in every situation. the hives. Weather conditions influence bee behavior. Plan to work bees when conditions are OSBA would like to welcome you into the favorable. Beekeepers should make sure that Beekeeping family. Enjoy the adventure! neighbors are not working or relaxing outdoors when they open hives, and should perform hive

www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org offered by a local beekeeping association or 12. Replace queens and destroy all brood in INTRODUCTION colonies exhibiting defensive behavior that may Master Beekeeper (often called a Short Course), and stay current on issues of colony health and be injurious to the general public or domesticated This set of recommended Best Management management. animals. Practices (BMP) is an outline for responsible 13. Treat all honey bees with respect. Treating all management. This document is intended as a 3) Allow inspection by Ohio Department of Agriculture honey bees with respect is a fundamental pillar reference and standard for honey bee County Inspector. of beekeeping as honey bees are indispensable management for the state of Ohio. 4) Maintain strong, healthy, populous colonies. and important to the human food supply. It may serve as: a) Remove/securely seal all empty hive equipment. b) Remove or combine all weak colonies. • A resource for information to enhance c) Properly treat with an approved product, community confidence in the safety of following all label instructions, or remove all Key Points– beekeeping activities. disease and/or pest infested colonies. • A standard reference for avoiding 5) Practice proper management and control ✓ Check your zoning laws potential complaints or conflicts about techniques to prevent colonies from beekeeping activities. swarming. • A compendium of best management 6) Maintain all colonies at least 10 feet from property ✓ Register your bees with Ohio practices that all Ohio beekeepers are lines. (In accordance with local Laws) Department of Agriculture encouraged to follow. 7) Place all colonies less than 40 feet from property lines behind a barrier no less than 6 feet in height. ✓ Join a local beekeeping association Most beekeepers are “backyard/part-time” Barriers should be of sufficient density to establish beekeepers. We are and want to be good bee flyways above head height. neighbors. 8) Maintain a water source within 50 feet of colonies or less than one-half the distance to Ohio State Beekeepers Association, Inc. the nearest un-natural water source, whichever (OSBA) helps beekeepers stay informed of is closest for urban and suburban . recommended changes in beekeeping 9) Do not establish an apiary within 50 feet of any practices, including the use of pesticides, animal that is tethered, penned, kenneled, or hive treatments, integrated pest otherwise prevented from escaping a stinging management, new threats to honey bee incident. health, and government regulations. 10) Avoid opening or disturbing colonies when The recommended practices for maintaining neighbors or the general public are participating in honey bees in managed colonies include: outside activities or using machinery within 150 feet of an apiary. 11) Maintain colonies with honey bee races of European 1. Comply with all homeowner association, honey bees (EHB). Local, State, and Federal ordinances, reg- a) Purchase queens, packaged bees, and nucleus ulations, and laws pertaining to beekeep- colonies from reputable sources outside of ing: Ohio Revised Code regarding Apiar- Africanized honey bee, (AHB), infested areas or ies and Honey bees http://codes.ohio.gov/ localities adjacent to AHB infested areas. orc/909 Apiary registration form: http:// www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org/reg/ (Apiary registration is REQUIRED by For a list of Ohio Suppliers of bees visit: State Law) www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org/bees 2. Have knowledge of honey bee behavior http://www.facebook.com/ and beekeeping, and we recommend com- OhioStateBeekeepers pleting an Introductory Beekeeping course